ltothew

I was hired into a specialty as a new grad but only because I started the specialty program, and paid for the first two theory courses while finishing my degree, and then they paid for the rest once I was hired.

I would definitely apply to all the medical surgical units in the lower mainland. They are always hiring new casuals for these floors. Especially in fraser health, and usually you get a lot of short calls. Also, walking into the units, speaking to an educator or manager can work well sometimes.

yes in BC it is RN only. edit: we are just about to start having LPN's work in post partum in the big health authorities in the lower mainland (with the exception of a smaller health auth downtown Vancouver which has LPNs already caring for with low risk post partum clients.

Its interesting because in BC on the L&D unit I work on most of the nurses have families, and many of them like the hours as it works better for having young kids, as you don't need daycare Monday-Friday, its more flexible. For Public Health (here at least) it is required that you have one year experience in post partum before applying, but public health is mon-fri, and no shift differentials, so you make less money (but that is not relevant for many people, only really if you have student loans at first). I mean i figure if you get into nursing you know you will do shift work, and will work some holidays etc

I would think if you had a BSN, passed the NCLEX, you can work in either country with some hoops to jump through. Definitely a need for rural nurses i know here in BC, northern BC nurses are highly sought after. If you are willing to work in a remote community there are many opportunities. It is probably easier to go through a recruiter who could set up the visa etc. :)

Nclex has both metric and imperial listed on the exam The NCLEX-RN items currently include both metric and imperial measurement options. Over the next two years, our transition process and the review by Canadian experts will ensure the appropriateness of terms used in the exam for both Canadian and American candidates, and that all writers of the NCLEX-RN in 2015 will be assessed based only on nursing competence, not his or her place of origin.

sorry i missed the looking for work part! Maybe going over your skills textbook again, and also if there are video and online components these would also be good. If you do get a job you can then talk to someone about practicing skills on a unit

Do you have clinical nurse educators on the units in Ontario? They would be a good resource if you do.

NICU accepts new grads outside of the esn/perceptorship program and is easier to get into!

Any luck finding a job yet? I hope so!

Yes (if you ESN there they will train you in NRP). Then you have to have the other two courses done on your own time. They will hire nurses (not new grads) from other maternity units that have done at least the 1st theory course, BF, NRP and have some experience. They basically only interview their esn or preceptors for new grad placements.

There are usually case studies, team questions, and emergency questions (emergency questions will relate to whatever type of unit) also some places may ask about CVCs and PICCs if they are surgical/medical, so make sure to read up on the unit. :)

you have to esn/preceptor there to get hired right away. You must have at least one theory course from bcit, and breastfeeding course at minimum as well as NRP. They only do two intakes a year, next one is september

Yes public health usually wants at least two years of experience. As for maternity, its sort of luck of the draw with preceptoring, they are either hiring or not unfortunately. I know of someone who did part of the specialty, and esned in mat, and no job. If thats what you really want you should ask for it...they usually have 1-2 placements in maternity.

I guess it depends where you live, in the lower mainland of BC, schools and hospitals could care less about tattoos, I know tons of nurses with visible tattoos.